GUELPH, Ont. - The Ryerson Rams baseball team travelled to Guelph to face the Gryphons this past weekend. After opening the season at home with one win in four games, the Rams were looking to take advantage of a Gryphons team who was coming off a sweep by the Laurier Golden Hawks. However, missed opportunities, poor base running, and costly errors led to the Rams being swept in the Sunday doubleheader.
“That was a tough day. We were in positions to win both games, but we either gave them opportunities or didn't capitalize on our chances. So to not come away with at least one W is tough,” said head coach Ben Rich.
Game one was a sloppy affair for both teams. Each team committed three errors, made poor base running decisions and both starters struggled with control issues.
The Rams were down 5-1 in the top of the fourth, when Jesse Fishbaum and Charlie Crabb started the inning off with back to back singles. They would eventually score on singles by catcher Chris Aubin and outfielder Jared Armstrong to bring the Rams within one. However, that was the closest the Rams would get in this game. The Gryphons answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-4.
The Rams would continue to battle throughout the game. When the Gryphons would score the Rams would answer back with runs of their own. After scoring a run in the top of the ninth, the Rams would bring the tying run to the plate with two out. However, the Gryphons relief pitcher would induce the Rams pinch hitter to pop out and end the game, 11-8 in favour of Guelph. After the game Rich commented, “We can take positives from today. We showed we're capable of scoring runs, which has been an issue for us and we caused some havoc on the base paths, which created some scoring opportunities.”
In game two reigning Rams Player of the Week, Charlie Crabb, continued his dominance shutting out the Guelph Gryphons for five innings. The Rams were able to score one in the first and one in the fifth on RBI singles by Jeremias Sucre and Pete Apostolopoulos. However, the Gryphons would score five runs in the bottom of the sixth, including two runs on a single by Mason Copeland, who went four for five in game one. Ryerson dropped a tough second game, 5-2 to the Gryphons.
“We just have to make sure we learn from our mistakes, build on what we do right, stay focused and intense, and success will follow,” said Rich.
The Rams will be looking for that success as they head to Hamilton to face the winless McMaster Marauders on Saturday, September 24 at noon.
